Understanding CROS and BiCROS Solutions

Hearing creates a complete sound picture of our environment, helping us understand speech, locate sounds, and stay connected to the world around us. When hearing loss affects one ear, this natural balance is disrupted, creating unexpected challenges in daily life. Simple activities like walking down a busy street, enjoying dinner with friends, or participating in work meetings become more complex as the brain adapts to processing sound from just one side.

Many people with single-sided hearing find themselves constantly repositioning to hear better, missing parts of conversations, or feeling fatigued from the extra concentration required to follow discussions. These challenges can affect both professional and personal relationships, sometimes leading to decreased social participation or reduced confidence in group settings.

Living with single-sided hearing presents unique challenges in daily life. Whether you're trying to follow conversations in a restaurant or participate in meetings, hearing from only one side can make these everyday situations more difficult. The good news is that modern hearing technology offers effective solutions through CROS and BiCROS systems.

What is Single-Sided Hearing?

Single-sided hearing, or unilateral hearing loss, occurs when someone has significantly reduced or no hearing in one ear while maintaining some level of hearing in the other ear. This type of hearing loss can range from mild to profound in the affected ear. Some people experience complete deafness in one ear, known as single-sided deafness (SSD).

The causes of single-sided hearing loss can include:

• Sudden hearing loss from viral infections or circulatory problems
• Physical trauma or head injuries
• Acoustic neuroma or other tumors
• Meniere's disease
• Extended exposure to loud noise affecting one ear
• Complications from certain medications
• Congenital conditions present from birth
• Middle ear disorders like otosclerosis

The brain typically relies on input from both ears to locate sounds in space and filter out background noise. When hearing is limited to one side, several challenges emerge:

• Difficulty determining where sounds are coming from
• Reduced ability to understand speech in noisy environments
• Problems hearing people who are speaking from the affected side
• Increased listening effort in many situations
• Challenges with balance and spatial awareness
• Difficulty focusing when multiple people are speaking

The impact of single-sided hearing varies among individuals. While some people adapt well to using one ear, others find it significantly affects their daily activities and quality of life. The good news is that modern hearing technology offers several solutions to help overcome these challenges.

Understanding CROS and BiCROS Systems

CROS (Contralateral Routing of Signal) and BiCROS systems are specialized hearing solutions designed specifically for people with single-sided hearing. These systems work by capturing sounds from your non-hearing side and transmitting them to your better-hearing ear.

How CROS Technology Works

A CROS system consists of two devices: a transmitter worn on the non-hearing ear and a receiver worn on the hearing ear. The transmitter picks up sounds and wirelessly sends them to the receiver, allowing you to hear sounds from both sides through your functioning ear. This technology is ideal for people who have normal hearing in their better ear but significant or complete hearing loss in the other ear.

Modern CROS devices use sophisticated microphone systems to capture sound. When someone speaks from your non-hearing side, the CROS transmitter immediately sends that sound to your better ear, helping you maintain awareness of your complete sound environment without having to turn your head.

BiCROS Systems: A Comprehensive Solution

BiCROS systems function similarly to CROS systems but are designed for people who have some hearing loss in their better ear. The "Bi" in BiCROS stands for bilateral, meaning it helps both ears. The system combines the transmitted sound from the non-hearing side with amplification for the better-hearing ear.

When to Choose Which System

The choice between CROS and BiCROS depends on your specific hearing profile:

• CROS is recommended when you have:
  • Normal hearing in one ear
  • Severe to profound hearing loss in the other ear
  • No benefit from traditional hearing aids in the poorer ear
• BiCROS is recommended when you have:
  • Hearing loss in your better ear that can benefit from amplification
  • Severe to profound hearing loss in the other ear
  • Different levels of hearing loss between ears

Advanced Features

Today's CROS and BiCROS systems include several advanced features:

• Adaptive directional microphones that automatically adjust to your listening environment
• Wind noise reduction technology for outdoor activities
• Multiple listening programs for different situations
• Wireless connectivity for streaming audio
• Rechargeable options for convenience

Daily Benefits

These systems provide practical advantages in various situations:

• Group conversations: Better awareness of speakers on all sides
• Driving: Improved awareness of passengers on your affected side
• Walking with others: No need to position people on your "good" side
• Meetings: Better participation regardless of seating position
• Entertainment: Fuller sound experience when watching TV or listening to music

Available Solutions at Silicon Valley Hearing

We offer several advanced CROS and BiCROS options from leading manufacturers:

Phonak Infinio CROS

The new Phonak CROS Infinio represents the latest advancement in CROS technology. This rechargeable device pairs seamlessly with Phonak Audéo Infinio R models, providing a comprehensive solution for single-sided hearing. The system offers:

• Advanced sound processing for natural sound quality
• Universal Bluetooth connectivity
• All-day battery life with convenient recharging
• Automatic program switching based on your listening environment
• Water and dust resistance with IP68 rating

ReSound Nexia CROS

The ReSound Nexia CROS system introduces innovative features for people with single-sided hearing:

• New wireless CROS/BiCROS capabilities
• Advanced speech understanding with 4-mic binaural beamformer
• Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast broadcast audio support
• Multiple simultaneous device connections
• Enhanced TV watching experience with TV-Streamer+

Starkey Edge AI CROS

Starkey's Edge AI CROS solution integrates seamlessly with their latest hearing technology:

• G2 Neuro Processor for advanced sound processing
• Bluetooth Low Energy Audio streaming
• Extended battery life up to 51 hours
• Waterproof design
• Compatibility with the My Starkey app for easy adjustments

Benefits of Modern CROS and BiCROS Systems

Today's CROS and BiCROS solutions offer numerous advantages:

1. Improved Spatial Awareness: By receiving sound information from both sides, you can better locate where sounds are coming from and maintain better awareness of your surroundings.
2. Better Speech Understanding: These systems help you hear conversations from your non-hearing side without having to turn your head, making social interactions more natural and comfortable.
3. Reduced Listening Effort: When you can hear from both sides, you don't have to work as hard to follow conversations or monitor your environment, reducing mental fatigue throughout the day.
4. Enhanced Safety: Being able to hear from both sides helps you stay more aware of your surroundings, particularly in situations like crossing streets or driving.
5. Wireless Connectivity: Modern CROS and BiCROS systems often include Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to stream phone calls, music, and other audio directly to your devices.

Getting Started with CROS or BiCROS

The journey to better hearing with a CROS or BiCROS system starts with a comprehensive hearing evaluation. During this assessment, we'll determine the extent of hearing loss in both ears and discuss which solution might work best for your specific situation. We use Real Ear Measurements during the fitting process to ensure optimal performance of your devices.

The Fitting Process

After selecting the appropriate system, we'll program it to match your specific hearing needs. The fitting process includes:

• Custom programming based on your hearing assessment
• Real-world listening exercises to ensure comfort and effectiveness
• Instructions on device use and maintenance
• Follow-up appointments to fine-tune settings as needed
• Ongoing support for optimal performance

Start Your Journey to Better Hearing Today

If you're experiencing single-sided hearing, we invite you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Marni Novick at Silicon Valley Hearing. As someone who has personal experience with hearing loss, Dr. Novick understands the challenges you face and can help guide you toward the most appropriate solution for your needs. Contact our Los Gatos office to learn more about how CROS and BiCROS systems can help you hear better from both sides.